Ashes 2019: Nathan Lyon Claims that Australia Have the Best Bowling Attack in the World

Nathan Lyon, veteran spinner of Australia shared that Australia have the best bowling attack in the world. his spell 29-12-51-2 helped his side in a 185-run victory over England in the fourth Ashes Test at Manchester. However, he suffered an injury on his spinning finger. In spite of this, he soldiered on by bowling without painkillers and treatment.

“I can’t feel it, to be honest,” Nathan Lyon told cricket.com.au while he was asked about his finger. “I split my finger in the first innings and … it’s probably like a singer losing their vocals, but you have to find a way to compete in Test cricket. Right now, it probably hasn’t sunk in … but as a kid growing up, and as soon as I got my Baggy Green, the biggest goal in my career has been to win the Ashes away.”

However, they are 2-1 now in the series and looking forward to winning the final Test as well. However, Lyon was forced to cover his injury with a form of medical ‘glue’ and take painkillers.

“He bowled his heart out with a finger that’s ripped in half,” said the captain, Tim Paine said. “For him to bowl 30-odd overs … people probably don’t understand what he went through today.”

Lyon came under the scanner after missing a run-out opportunity in the third Test where Ben Stokes’ brilliance led them to a nail-biting 1 wicket win.

While he was asked about the this, Lyon said, “When you’re a professional sportsman, your job is to come out and bowl well, and compete against whoever you’re playing. I didn’t really feel it or hear it at the back end (of the match), so it doesn’t worry me.”

“It does impact a lot of people, but mistakes happen. I didn’t mean to drop the run-out or anything like that, but I had him plumb (lbw) next ball. That’s just the game of cricket, you’ve got to pick yourself up and it’s just the way you bounce back,” he further added.

Lyon praised his teammate Steve Smith who made the difference between the two teams in the ongoing Ashes series. Smith has scored a double ton in the first innings and 82 in the second innings and made the winning foundation for his side.

“The way Steve Smith came back after all this talk about him, he’s an exceptional cricketer. He’s probably the best cricketer I’ve ever played with, and to be able to play most of my career with him it’s been extremely special and hopefully there’s a lot of highlights to come,” he added.